[Errant]

This smacks of massive incompetence, but maybe it's just me.

The Japanese certainly have their own way of doing things. Kinda regimented system of doing things it seems. Of course, we don't have the most aggressive offer of help coming from our CEO.

I'm like you in belief that more could have been done sooner. I know some plant mangers in B.R. and L.C. and Beaumont who would have had most of the reactors and storage pools overflowing with seawater by now.

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

They need some outside the box thinking. They shoulda outsourced this problem to an american company.

Seriously, did nobody in the US supply cchain and the Jap supply line EVER ask themselves, "OK. What happens if we lose power and our diesel backup goes down?"

[bgill]

Maybe they operate on island time.

[MarMema]

speaking of incompetence...

Bungling, cover-ups define Japanese nuclear power

Reporters who cover agencies and ministries are organized in press clubs that have cozy ties with officials and decide what to report — and what not to.

Not sure Japan is giving anyone the straight scoop.